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All About My Brother
This is an invaluable contribution to helping typically developing children understand that a child with autism is a child first, and is someone interesting to know. Sarah gives insight into the sibling relationship in a way only a child can do it. Through her simple depictions of her brother Evan s everyday behavior, Sarah encourages others to approach autism without fear or pity. The effects of her book will live long beyond the last pages, as Sarah invites her young readers to share ideas for how to live with siblings or classmates who have autism spectrum disorders. The book is heart-warming and introspective and the writing style makes it appropriate for children and adults alike.
22 pages, Hardcover
First published September 2, 2002
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 10, 2021
This book may do well when paired with Ian’s Walk: A Story About Autism. Both books are especially helpful for presenting in a class with a student with a nonverbal autistic sibling. While the other book has a storyline, this book is written and illustrated by an eight year old with an autistic brother. The sister has illustrated the book, so teachers who use this book as a read aloud could easily have students relate to the book by drawing pictures about their own family lives. The sister describes her brother and explains many terms or practices involved in helping a child with autism. She does so in a very natural way that is very accessible for students.
October 18, 2016
This story is an eight-year-old sister’s introduction to her brother, Evan, who has autism. This book would be interesting and engaging for children since it was written by a child. It uses language that is appropriate for them since it is a young girl that wrote it. All about my brother is a very informational book for all people to understand what it is like to live with a nonverbal child with autism.
Sarah teaches what it is like to live with a brother who has autism. Sometimes it is very hard for Sarah because she wants her brother to play with her but he is nonverbal and likes to play by himself. Evan uses pictures to communicate and sticks are his favorite thing to play with. Sarah tells us how the adults in her life handle her brother’s autism and the explanations that they give her, but she always puts it in her own words.
Sarah teaches what it is like to live with a brother who has autism. Sometimes it is very hard for Sarah because she wants her brother to play with her but he is nonverbal and likes to play by himself. Evan uses pictures to communicate and sticks are his favorite thing to play with. Sarah tells us how the adults in her life handle her brother’s autism and the explanations that they give her, but she always puts it in her own words.
November 9, 2018
All about my Brother by Sarah Peralta is a realistic nonfiction book that highlights Sarah and her brother who has autism. This book would be interesting to children as well as very informative for them. Through this book, young children can be introduced to autism and what it is like having a autistic family member. This book is a great way to start a conversation with kids about what special needs are and show them that many families have family members who have special needs, and that it is perfectly normal-that the idea of having a diverse family is okay. This will promote acceptance for kids that have family members who have a special need or even a classmate that has a special need. This book is a great tool to appropriately convey this message to young children. The illustrations were created by Sarah, which will resonate well with young kids because their drawings most likely are very similar. They can see themselves through the eyes of Sarah. The hand drawn pictures by Sarah enhance the story in a way makes it much more person for the reader. The diversity of Evan being autistic is what makes this children's book so unique!
April 11, 2022
An amazing and inspirational book. If you need to teach or introduce autism into your classroom, use this book! After reading it you will not stop thinking about it !
October 8, 2012
What's the best way to learn more about a child with Autism? Through a sibling of theirs, of course! All About My Brother is a colorful book written by an eight year old with intentions to educate the world on what life is like growing up with a sibling who has been diagnosed with a pervasive developmental disorder. Each page is illustrated with Sarah's, the young writer, drawings which are followed up with a short text explaining more about her and her brother Evan's daily lives. While this little girl displays much insight as the "expert" on her brother, every day and every thing is not always easy and Sarah can become frustrated. It is, however, important to know that Sarah does everything she can to try and understand her brother Evan and never stops loving him.
The beginning of this book has a "How To Use This Book" section which explains that it is intended for parents, teachers, AND children. It also lays out a "10-Step Guide" on ways in which a teacher or parent could use this book as a tool to teach children about the disorder as well as activities to practice to assist in comprehending the book. The hand drawn illustrations really help children find that connection with the book and so does the fact that it is written by a peer. The language used throughout is spoken for younger children through a young child and when more advanced terms are used, the writer very well explains either her understanding of said term or demonstrates her vague to non-existing knowledge, "His teachers and therapists call it "stimming." All I know is that he really likes to play with sticks..."
The beginning of this book has a "How To Use This Book" section which explains that it is intended for parents, teachers, AND children. It also lays out a "10-Step Guide" on ways in which a teacher or parent could use this book as a tool to teach children about the disorder as well as activities to practice to assist in comprehending the book. The hand drawn illustrations really help children find that connection with the book and so does the fact that it is written by a peer. The language used throughout is spoken for younger children through a young child and when more advanced terms are used, the writer very well explains either her understanding of said term or demonstrates her vague to non-existing knowledge, "His teachers and therapists call it "stimming." All I know is that he really likes to play with sticks..."
October 31, 2012
This is an excellent reader for students. It is especially great if students are inclusive classrooms or schools that children with severe disabilities. This story is written from the perspective of 8 year old, Sarah, who little brother, Evan, has autism. The main idea of the story was to educate individuals on autism and some of the symptoms/ effects. This is important because it is written from an eight year old perspective, so it is easy for young children to understand. This is a great book to begin discussing diversity in the classroom and the acceptance of those who are different from you. I think students will interact with the story because of the pictures drawn by Sarah and Evan. The author does a great job in keeping the book in terms of an eight year old, so it easy to understand. Also, I love how the illustrator used real pictures which really showed the authenticity of the story. This book relates to my text set because I am discussing how all members of the family are different and family is anywhere there is a lot of love. Sarah obviously loved her brother and did all she could to make sure he knew it!
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February 16, 2015Personal Response:
I think that this book is very heart-warming. It was written by an eight year old girl, about her brother who has autism. She tells the story of the struggles and joys of everyday life for her family. I have a cousin with autism, so this book was very relative to my life. I was touched by her positive outlook and the unconditional love that she has for her brother. She was also very mature and had a good understanding of her brother's condition.
Purpose:
I think that this would be a good read aloud enrichment book for kindergarten through third graders. This would be a great way to talk about different diversities in the classroom and how some people learn differently than others. Students could share or write about their own diversities and what makes them different that other students in the classroom. It would also teach them specifically about autism and help them to understand and not be afraid of the differences that autism may cause. Since the story is told by an eight year old, she explains the challenging concept in ways that young children can relate to and understand.
I think that this book is very heart-warming. It was written by an eight year old girl, about her brother who has autism. She tells the story of the struggles and joys of everyday life for her family. I have a cousin with autism, so this book was very relative to my life. I was touched by her positive outlook and the unconditional love that she has for her brother. She was also very mature and had a good understanding of her brother's condition.
Purpose:
I think that this would be a good read aloud enrichment book for kindergarten through third graders. This would be a great way to talk about different diversities in the classroom and how some people learn differently than others. Students could share or write about their own diversities and what makes them different that other students in the classroom. It would also teach them specifically about autism and help them to understand and not be afraid of the differences that autism may cause. Since the story is told by an eight year old, she explains the challenging concept in ways that young children can relate to and understand.
April 18, 2015
All About My Brother – An eight-year-old sister’s introduction to her brother who has autism – by Sarah Peralta – Really appreciate how this book presents the perspective of living with a sibling who has autism. Helps explain one type of autism. I shared this book with my son. We talked about different levels of autism, how he’s already interacted for years with children that have autism, and how sometimes it isn’t a noticeable/recognizable thing… I’m so excited about a book coming out that addresses autism as well… soon, very soon.
I passed this book and a number of other titles on to my teacher friend who works supports some of our students in the classroom. She shared the books with students when there was time available and there has been very positive, supportive comments from parents and students about how students now have a better understanding of some of the challenges their classmates are facing. Additionally, my teacher friend has found that the classes she’s shared the book with have many more empathetic students who care to know and understand more. They often are pulling more books off the shelf in the library and asking thoughtful questions.
I passed this book and a number of other titles on to my teacher friend who works supports some of our students in the classroom. She shared the books with students when there was time available and there has been very positive, supportive comments from parents and students about how students now have a better understanding of some of the challenges their classmates are facing. Additionally, my teacher friend has found that the classes she’s shared the book with have many more empathetic students who care to know and understand more. They often are pulling more books off the shelf in the library and asking thoughtful questions.
January 13, 2013
This book is really cute. It's written and illustrated by 8 year old Sarah Peralta, and tells about her brother with autism. She tells about the quirky things he does and how much fun she has with him. Her family worked hard to make this a teaching tool for children who have a sibling with a disability. It comes with a letter from her parents, forewords from professionals in the field, and a section suggesting how this book be used to best help the child reading it. Sarah does a great job highlighting how much she loves her brother, and that she knows he loves her too, even if he can't say it. Her crayon drawings add to how great this book is.
April 25, 2012
I thought this book was unique in that it gave insight into how the siblings of children with a disablity feel about it. I love that it was written by a child as well. I think this book could serve so many purposes. It could serve as an inspiration for students to write their own books. It could serve as a conversation starter for discussing children with disabilities and what their lives are like. I think it is a must-have in the classroom.
April 23, 2012
This book is so heart-warming! I love it. A little girl talks about her brother EVan who has autism. She talks about the things that he like to do, such as wear clothes. The illustartions are great as well. The children will love it.
April 5, 2011
This appears to be a children's book but some of the content is a bit too complex for the intended target audience in my opinion.
January 22, 2015
Teaches children how there are different types of autism and that there are always different ways on handling it.
January 22, 2015
This is a good book.
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February 22, 2015A sister writes about what is like to have a brother who has autism. It is a great perspective.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews